~2,700 mile round trip with a home built teardrop trailer!

[Timothyd]

About to embark on our first major road trip while pulling a teardrop camper.

Truck: XLT, FX4, 4K tow.

Camper: 2015 3rd owner homebuilt teardrop. 4'x10', estmated loaded wgt 1500lb, timbren axless suspension with brakes.

Will be keeping track of gas mileage, tow vs regular drive mode, and probably other stuff(suggestions welcome)

More pics of the trailer please. How much do you think your trailer weighs? I'm considering a teardrop and I have a hybrid. Yours looks pretty nice.

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[Hardening2753]

At 1000 miles in I'm averaging 24.3 mpg on regular gas.

I picked up speed further north 65-75 with mountains and mpg dropped to 22.6.

Are you switching to premium gas for the tow sessions?

 

[Whatcolortochoose]

Are you switching to premium gas for the tow sessions?

I only did where gas was cheaper most places premium was around $5


I just limited how much throttle I used when running regular.

 

[Whatcolortochoose]

More pics of the trailer please. How much do you think your trailer weighs? I'm considering a teardrop and I have a hybrid. Yours looks pretty nice.

It is registered at 1100lbs I probably overestimated at 1500 loaded.

And some interior pics. Its only 4ft wide so pretty snug with two people. Most recommend 5ft wide to have a queen mattress.

 

[Whatcolortochoose]

So trip is over. Only 2100 miles(took a more direct route home)(maybe 200miles without trailer)

Averaged 23.6mpg. Driving slow doesnt suite me . The truck seemed happier at 70-80(better spot in power band?). Only switched to tow/haul on the mountain roads, but was in regular for the rest.

The truck pulled beautifully, except the trailer brakes only engaging with the manual overide. All my dealerships near me have 1 month waitlist for anything more than an oil change

 

[Whatcolortochoose]

Side note I get better mpg pulling this than my 5×8 utility trailer when empty, probably because the big ramp(even though its mesh)

 

[shadow76]

Keep us posted! I myself have the same truck and I’m driving from New Orleans to Albuquerque where I’ll pick up a 3k camper and tow it to Chaco Canyon and the Petrified Forest.
Out of curiosity, did you change the oil before your trip? I still have the original factory oil, but only around 2k miles on the engine currently and my Fore Pass app says my oil life is at 83%.

Chaco Canyon alone is worth the trip.

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